Senators flag Chinese telecom firm Huawei

Republican Senators raised concerns over reports that a firm with ties to the Chinese military is bidding to supply equipment to Sprint Nextel and potentially the U.S. government.

Eight Republican senators wrote August 18 to senior Obama administration officials, including Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Director of National Intelligence General James Clapper, to question reports that the Chinese telecom firm Huawei Technologies is seeking clearance to do business in the United States. The senators claim Huawei has questionable ties to the Chinese military and has supplied equipment to Iran, the Taliban and Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. They argue allowing Huawei to supply equipment to Sprint Nextel, a major defense contractor, could threaten national security.